The much-awaited 2017 Goodwood Festival of Speed is packed with great surprises and highlights. The organizers have just revealed the central feature that will celebrate the milestones of former Formula One champion Bernie Ecclestone.

The 2017 Goodwood Festival of Speed will open its doors on June 29 and will end on July 2. The organizers have revealed the central feature for this year that will be erected in front of Goodwood House.

Historically, the annual central feature pays tribute to one of the luxurious racing cars joining the prestigious event. However, this year will be different as it will honor the champion driving the supercar.

Interestingly, the central feature of this year's festival will pay tribute to former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone. The special feature is called "The Five Stages of Ecclestone."

The central structure will showcase the five distinguished eras of the involvement of Ecclestone in Formula One through sculptured form. Each era of involvement will be honored to tell the story of Ecclestone's long outstanding F1 career.

Details of the central feature become extra special with the celebration of the iconic Formula One cars of Ecclestone. "The Five Stages of Ecclestone" will also include five quintessential F1 cars, where each car also represents each era of involvement of the former F1 champion.

"This is not so much a tribute, but rather a Goodwood celebration of a racer who has had such a huge influence on the sport we all love," Lord March said. He also expressed their excitement that Ecclestone has accepted their invitation to grace the event over the weekend of the 2017 Goodwood Festival of Speed. He mentioned that there will be more superstar racers who will also be joining the event, whom Ecclestone has formerly worked within the length of his racing career.

Goodwood Road & Racing has just posted the official announcement video on its official YouTube account, which we have embedded below. Check out for more updates in our next report on the 2017 Goodwood Festival of Speed.